The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) Sailing School has long been a hub for sailing enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.
Today, thanks to the combined efforts from the Agora Foundation, Yachting Malta and Transport Malta, the club is exploring new horizons by making sailing accessible to individuals with disabilities.
This is being made possible through the donation of a Hansa 303 class boat by the Agora Foundation and a special hoist by Transport Malta. This represents a significant step towards inclusivity, ensuring that the joy of sailing can be enjoyed by everyone.
Sailing is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that fosters a profound connection to the water, wind, and the boat itself. The addition of the Hansa 303 class boat to the RMYC Sailing School’s fleet opens doors for individuals with disabilities, making it possible for them to experience the exhilaration and serenity of sailing on their terms.
The Hansa 303 class boat is renowned for its adaptability and ease of use. It’s designed to be sailed by individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including those with limited mobility. This boat’s unique features, such as a joystick for steering and single-line control, provide an inclusive sailing experience.
Inclusivity is not just a buzzword; it’s a core value that the RMYC Sailing School is committed to. By offering sailing opportunities to persons with disabilities, the club is aligning with a global movement towards equal access to sports and recreational activities.
Sailing has a therapeutic and transformative effect on individuals, and it is only fitting that this experience is extended to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.
For many, the experience of sailing is not just a recreational activity; it’s a life-changing journey towards personal growth.
“Sailing has long been a symbol of freedom and adventure, allowing individuals to harness the power of the wind and explore the vast expanse of the open water,” said Nikki Griscti, Immediate Pass president at Agora Foundations.
“For individuals with disabilities, the dream of sailing might seem distant, but thanks to innovations in adaptive sports, that dream is becoming a reality.”
The success of this initiative, which will be run in parallel with Sailability – an initiative driven by Yachting Malta to offer sailing coaching – relies not only on the club’s commitment but also on the support of the community.
Donations, sponsorships, and volunteer efforts can make sailing accessible to even more individuals with disabilities.
Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore David Cremona welcomed the donation.
“Today’s donation to the RMYC Sailing School will mark an important milestone in the club’s history, when through the efforts of Agora, Yachting Malta and Transport Malta, the school will be able to offer sailing lessons to persons with a disability – this is thanks to the donation of a Hansa 303 Boat and a special hoist,” Cremona said.
“We look forward to make sailing more accessible to all.”
Yachting Malta chairman Chris Agius said: “Following Yachting Malta’s inception in 2015 we are now seeing the fruit of the work that our organisation has put into for the benefit of the sailing community.
“It has been a pleasure to meet and work with the ladies from Agora, who together with Yachting Malta, Transport Malta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club worked to promote inclusion in the sport of sailing, making it available to individuals with different abilities.”
Also present for the event was Aaron Farrugia, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects who said: “This investment is another step in the right direction which further consolidates the initiatives taken by Yachting Malta in 2022.
“Such initiatives are part of the yachting sector’s development as an accessible and sustainable economic niche, benefiting both the sports and tourism sectors in our country.”
